With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

I agree with Dale that of all of the prospects we have a shot at, Earl Thomas is the best. Speed, hands, dynamic hitter, tackles low, and gets his man. Even if he doesn't translate to corner, he in combination with Troy is freekin scary. We won't even need corners with the two of them.:) Let Gay and Taylor go and save the salaries

I hope that McClain is not available when the Steelers draft because this guy is the most average ILB I have ever seen. He may be touted as the next coming of Mike Singletary, but looking at the tape, there is not even any comparison to Patrick Willis. Maybe the hour of tape available on line doesn't do him justice but he seems like a good linebacker to take in the third round, not in the top 10. I know he does everything adequately but he doesn't shine in any area. I'm sure he will be adequate and will have a long career but I don't ever see him making a pro bowl.

I guess the OT you have going at 17from Rutgers is Anthony Davis, what's your opinion of him? lately some mocks have him selected by the Steelers.

I don't think Iupati goes before Green Bay at 23. (maybe San Francisco at 17) I belive if the Steelers had the choice between Earl Thomas and Iupati they will go with Earl Thomas. Don't you think it has more value at 18th?

Dale, you are thinking that Jared Odrick from PSU will fall out of the first round? If that is true, what do you think about the Steelers trading down to the low to mid 20s for Pouncey, pick up some picks and trade up for Odrick in the early 2nd round. Steelers would then bring in much needed youth on the DL and OL with two very good players. I am not saying Thomas isn't a very good player, I just believe the Steelers have a bigger need on the lines and a healthy Polamalu is the key to a much improved secondary, not a first round draft pick.

I think Thomas is overrated. He isn't a strong tacker and he struggles in space and isn't physical inside the box Not a three down player and not someone worth taking with the 18th overall pick. As for Iupati, he scored a moronic 10 on the Wonderlic. We have enough dumb linemen. Give me Pouncey.. strong, versatile and smart.

Not what I heard on Pouncey. Quote from one scouting site says he "....has exceptional on-field intelligence and the ability to make line calls even while working out of the shotgun." Other reports also tout how strong and athletic he is and can handle nose tackles. That's the kind of player this line needs.

Who was the last center taken at 18 or higher? He'd better be the next Dermontti Dawson to take that high and Pouncey is not that.As for Thomas in the box, he's the free safety. Doesn't spend as much time in the box.

I was thinking of Thomas as more of CB for the Steelers as that is more of a need. Most reports I've read say he can play both. I just think there is more value for CBs after the first round. The only teams to not draft an O lineman in the first or second round since 2003 are the Steelers and Redskins. We can't continue to ignore this position(s). If not Pouncey, then what O lineman might be there that is better.. Campbell?

I actually hope the McNabb trade causes Clausen to take a Brady Quinn/Rodgers type slide. At 18, the Steelers would be in a perfect position to trade down and get some nice picks. I'd have to look at the draft order, but someone with a few 2nd or 3rd rounders would be nice.

I think in an ideal situation, they take an offensive lineman. But they're not going to reach and take a guy at 18 who deserves to go at 30.Every draft has its tiers. The upper echelon of 10 to 15 - or more - players who are flat-out studs.Then come the next 30 to 40 who are solid but interchangeable based on need.

I see Pouncey, Campbell and guys like that as the second tier. If a guy falls out of that first tier because another team drafts for need rather than talent, do you let the top-flight talent fall and draft a guy 10 to 15 spots too early?

I see them taking an o-lineman early as well. But it could be a situation such as last year all over again. The top five or so linemen go before their pick and they're left with the second tier guys. They're not going to reach for one at 18.So they take another player in the first and try to trade up into the early second like they did last year to get a second-tier guy.

there is now way we draft blount even if he is there in the 5th round. let's see, roethlisberger's issues, holmes may or may not be throwing glasses at women, and then we draft blount who cold cocked a guy after the game. no way.

also, no way we draft all those players. we definitely will be trading picks away even if that means to pick up additional picks next year.

also, i have a gut feeling the steelers trade up in the first round to get someone they really like. a first year impact player on a playoff team can go a long way. just my opinion.

consider me a Blount fan. That guy looked like an asshole who had a lot of crap to say. Should he have drilled him? Probably not, but I like the attitude.

You are right though, considering the team's problems, Blount is probably not the best idea. But if they truely beleive it was a mistake he learned from and can keep it together off the field, I'm all for it.

I actually think RB is a big need for this team. If Mendenhall goes down, they have nobody. And sure you can say they don't run the ball anyway, but we all know they need a steady back up to Mendenhall.